“We need to be competitive with our local departments and our areas and so forth to retain employees. It all goes back to that,” said Sims.

If there was a bright spot in the meeting, it will be for current employees when commissioners did approve a new budget.

“Which has an increase of four percent merit raise automatically built into it for county employees, including the sheriff’s office employees, which is a good thing,” said Sims.

Despite the lack of a pay study or increases in entry-level pay, Sims remains optimistic.

“Appreciate the County Commission, the personnel board looking at this, addressing this problem, looking to find solutions to it, and I think in the long run we’ll find solutions to get those entry-level pays up,” said Sims.